By EAO Missionary Animation Team

During 155th Salesian Missionary Expedition last September 29, 2024, our EAO region has sent 6 missionaries and also received 5 new missionaries. Here is the first of the two sent to the Delegation of Mongolia.

I am Cl. Marko Dropuljić from Zagreb, Croatia. My family is composed of my parents, my twin brother Luka and me. I am 24 years old. I come from a traditional Catholic family where we learned Christian values from a young age. When we reached high school, our parents gave us the choice of whether or not to continue attending Mass. During my first year in Secondary School, I decided not to participate in the sacraments anymore. I started playing football when I was 7. Eventually, I became a professional player for the ‘GNK Dinamo’ football club in Zagreb. We had gone around the country competing in national football league competitions. Then, after being away from the Lord for a while, in my final year of Secondary School, a confession brought me back to His hands and I began my journey of growing in faith. After that confession, I experienced profound joy and love and wanted to share this with others, especially young people who have lost hope and need someone to show them their unique value. Although I knew my calling was to dedicate my life to young people, I was uncertain about realizing this desire. Then I remembered the Oratory at Jarun and the Salesians I first met there.

My first encounter with the Salesians is a funny story that, in retrospect, seems like pure providence from God. I first heard about Don Bosco and met a Salesian during my second year of Secondary School when I visited the Oratory of Jarun, a Salesian parish near mine because I was in love with a girl who was active in that parish. While there to meet her, I also attended the catechesis session that was being held that day. This was my initial contact with the Salesians. Although my motives were not very religious at the time, God used this experience in my life later on.

Although I knew that my calling was to dedicate my life to young people, I was uncertain about realizing this desire. then I remembered the the Salesians I met in Oratory of Jarun. There was a lot of youth involvement there, and it appealed to me. So I searched for information about the Salesians online until I came across Don Bosco and his biography. As I read more about him and the Salesians, I became convinced that this was where the Lord was calling me.

At 19 years old I joined the prenovitiate in Croatia. Then I was sent to Italy for my novitiate in Genzano and post-novitiate in Rome. In the novitiate, a saint was randomly selected to accompany us. I was assigned St. Callisto Caravario. I began praying intensely for guidance on my missionary vocation, asking God to reveal His will to me. Already from the novitiate, I began a missionary discernment process with my spiritual guide and Provincial. During my first year of practical training, I decided to write my missionary application to the Rector Major.

Unknown to anyone, since I started my missionary discernment, I desired to be sent to Asia. So after much prayer, I accepted with serenity and joy the proposal to be sent to Mongolia. Of course, I now experience some fear as I prepare to enter a new country, new people, new culture; and fear in establishing and maintaining new relationships with young people and confreres of Mongolia.

Initially, my parents could not understand why I wanted to leave my family, my culture, and my country. But with prayer and patient explanations, they have now accepted my decision with serenity.

Until I was told of my missionary assignment, the only thing I knew about Mongolia was that it lies between Russia and China. After doing some research online, I have learned a bit more, but somehow it remains a mysterious country to me. Now I am just waiting for my visa to Mongolia and start my two years of language studies as indicated by the General Councillor for Missions.

Upon arrival, my priority would be to learn the Mongolian language and culture. One of my biggest desires is to work with abandoned kids and street children of Mongolia, who do not have a family or friend who could show them how much they are loved. I hope I will be given this opportunity too.

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